Heel log cutting machine



J. E. MITCHELL AND D. PARKS.

HEEL LOG CUTTING MACHINE. 2 APPLICATION FILED JULY I9. I920. 1,423,21. APatented July 25, 1222.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

In van 230m I. E. MITCHELL AND D. PARKS.

HEEL LOG CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 19. 1920.

1,42 3,62 1, Patentd July 25, 1922..

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- J. E! MITCHELL AND 0. PARKS.

HEEL LOG CUTTING MACHINE. APPLICAITION FILED JULY I9. 1920.

1,4235%, Y PatenteciJuly 25,1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

B @mnfi Farm swis- JOHN MITCT-I ELL AND DENNIS PARKS, .OF ST. LOUIS,MISSOURI.

HEEL LOG CUTTING IVIACHINE.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that we, JOHN E. IVIITOHELL andDENNIS PARKS, citizens of the United States, residing in the city of St.Louis and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Heel Log Cutting Machines, of which the following is a specification.1

This invention relates to a machine for cutting lifts from a heel-log.In effecting this operation, machines have been built in which the logis rotated on its axis as it comes into contact with the knife; othermachines have been used in which the knives or cutters rotate around thelog which is held relatively fixed, and as the cutters rotate they moveprogressively toward the central axis of the log. After .each lift iscut from the log, the log is advanced automatically into the positionfor cutting off the next lift. The general object of :the invention isto produce a verysimple machine for cutting the lifts, of uniformthickness, from the log without necessitating the rotation of the log,and without necessitating any inward movement of the cutters toward theaxis-of the log duringthe cutting operation. A principal object is toprovide means for cutting the lifts from the log through the agency of arelatively fixed rotating cutter, that in operation, will sever the liftby cutting all around the log and finish the cut in the interior of thelog, without necessitating the rotation of the log on its own axis. Bycutting inwardly all around the'log a uniform thickness of the lift atits edge .is insured. A further object of the invention is to provide acutter which has a construction that will give a maximum of stiffnessand strength in a thin cutting edge,

such as is necessary touse in order to avoid waste of material.

Further objects of the invention willappear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel features, and in the generalcombination of parts to be particularly described hereinafter, all ofwhich contribute to produce a simple and eflicient heel-log cutting,machine. A preferred embodiment ofourin- 'vention will be particularlydescribed in .the following specification, while the broadSpecificationof Letters Patent.

Patented July 25, 1922.

1920; ,Serial No. 397,490.

scope of our invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

'In the drawing- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying ourinvention, certain parts being broken away;

Figure 2 is a plan of the machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 isan elevation of the machine as viewed from the left end ofFigure 1;

Figure 4% is a cross section through the machine taken on the line 4-%tof Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a cross section upon an en larged scale through the upperpart of the log holding means; and

Figure 6 is a front elevation of the cutter and illustrating the mannerin which it cooperates with the log to sever a lift.

Referring more particularly to the parts, the frame 1 of the machinecomprises two oppositely disposed sills 2 on which bridge frames 3 and 4are mounted. The bridge frame 4 extends upwardly and terminates above ina bearing 5 which is in alignment with a similar bearing 6 carried atthe upper end of another bridge frame 7. The bearings 5 and-6 affordmeans for rotatably supporting a cutter so that it will rotate about theaxis of the shaft 8 rotatably mounted in the bearings. This cutter hasan edge which is maintained at afixed distance fromthe axis of the shaft8. The heel-log 9 is held so that its end projects past the plane ofrotation of-the cutter. With the heel-log in this position we produce arelative lateral movement between the log and the cutter so that the logengages the-cuttingedge,first on one side ofthe axis and then on theother side of the axisof rotation, which completes the severanceofthelift. In order to accomplish this we prefer to rotate the cutter in astationary position and niountthe log on movable log-ho-ldingmeans inthe form of a rocking framelO. The cutter is preferably inthe form of adisk 11 having an opening ,12 substantially at its central point. Thecutter is supported on theshaft 8 by means .ofa spider 13 secured to theshaft, the outer edge of the disk being clamped to theends of the armsof the spider by means of aring plate .14, (see Fig 6). The edge of theopen- [inglQ is formed into a cuttingedge 15.-

Any suitable edge may be provided at this oint, but we prefer to employsaw teeth. i Ve are enabled to use saw teeth by reason of the fact thatby placing the cutting edge on the edge of an opening in this way, theedge will be relatively stiff, even if the thickness of the material ofthe saw blade at the edge is very small. For this reason there is littlesawdust or waste of material. The log-supporting means 10 may be of anysuitable construction operating to support the log with its endprojecting into the opening 1.2 and past the plane of rotation of thecutter 11. Any suitable means may be provided for effecting a lateralmovement of the log so as to bring it into engagement with the cuttinedge 15 in such a way as to sever the lift. l e prefer, however, simplyto provide for giving the frame 10 a to and fro rocking movement, thatis to say, we rock it in one direction so as to bring one side of thelog into engagement with the cutting edge 15 on one side of the axis ofrotation (see Fig. 6), and then move the log to the opposite side sothat the edge on the opposite side of the axis of rotation completes theseverance of the lift. In cutting off the lift, it will be evident thatthe cut made by the teeth of the cutter will extend entirely around theout side of the log before the lift is completely severed; in otherwords, the portion of the log that is the last to be cut is the center.or

practically the same as it would be if the log itself were rotating. InFigure 6 the dotted outlines 16 and 1''? indicate the two positions ofthe log at the extremes of its lateral travel.

We also prefer to construct the control ling mechanism for the log sothat while in engagement with the cutting edge, the log moves with anincreased speed, but when the axis of the log is substantiallycoincident with the axis of rotation, the log is moving comparativelyslowly. At this time, the automatic feeding mechanism which we provideeffects the forward feeding movement of the log, after which the log isreclamped. by the holding means preparatory to severing another lift.

In order to carry out these objects, the rocking frame 10 may be looselysupported at its lower end on a cam shaft 18 which is continuouslydriven through a suitable gear train 19 with which co-operates an idleshaft 20, so that the cam shaft 18 is driven at a relatively low speed.The cam shaft 18 carries a cam 21 (see Fig. 4), the face of which isengaged by a roller 22 carried on a lever 23 and the upper end of whichis connected by a link 24- with the middle portion of the rocking frame10. Any suitable means may be employed for holding the roller 22 upagainst the cam. For this purpose, we may employ a spring or weight 25carried on an arm extending out from the each other.

'1), the lower end of rocking frame 10 on the opposite side from thelink 24 (see Fig. i). The cam co-opcrates with the roller 22 to swingthe frame 1.0 on the axis of the shaft 18, first in one direction andthen in the other direction. The swinging movement in one directionpartially severe the lift and the swinging in the opposite directioncompletes the severance of the lift, as will be evident from aninspection of Figure 6. Any suitable feeding mechanism or feeding devicemay be provided for effecting the forward movement of the log when it isin a neutral position, that is to say, when it is at an intermediatepoint of its swing and clear of the cutting edge. The upper portion ofthe rocking frame 10 is provided with a back plate or ll-shaped guide ortrough 26 (see Figs. 4 and 5) in which the heel log lies. Near themiddle point of the rocking frame, two feed levers 27 are attached on arock shaft 28. These levers extend upwardly to a point near each side ofthe log, at which point it is provided with two gripper bars 29, onelocated on each side of the log. These gripper bars rest on the upperedges of the guide 26 (see Fig. and their inner faces are formed withteeth 30 projecting toward the cutter, for engaging the side of the log.It should be understood that one of the levers 27- is located on eachside of the log. The gripper bars 29 are ly to these levers but areprovided on their outer faces with sockets which receive small struts orpins 31, each pin being mounted to slide through an opening 32 in theupper end of its corresponding lever. These pins 31 are forced inwardlyby means of a feed plate 33 corresponding to each pin, the upper end ofeach plate 33 being formed with a socket3at to engage the outer end ofits corresponding pin. The lower end of each plate 33 is bent inwardlyto form a fulcrum or foot 35 to engage against the outer side of itscorresponding lever. Any suitable means is provided for resilentlyforcing the plates inwardly to hold. the gripper bars 29 against thesides of the log. F or this purpose,we may connect the plates 33 by athrough-bolt 36 which extends past'one of the plates and carries a coilspring 37 (see Fig. 5). With this construction, it will be evident thatthe spring 37 will co-operate with the through-bolt 36 as an equalizer,to pull both the plates 33 inwardly and toward One of the levers 27 hasa downwardly extending arm '27 (see Fig. which 'is provided with aroller 38 resting on the side face of a disk cam 39.

with a spring 4:0 for holding the roller 38 up against its cam and anadjustable stop is provided for limiting the movement of the of whichwill come up against a fixed stop not attached direct- The levers 27 areeach provided 42 on the frame 10, if permitted to do'so by the face ofthe cam 39. I provide means for yieldingly clamping the log to preventits being carried back when the gripper bars 29 travel back, that is,away from the cutter above, is rigidly attached to a rock shaft 45,

the ends of which are mounted to rotate in bearings 46 which extend downfrom the bridge frames 3 and 4 (see Fig. l). The shaft 8 may be rotatedin any suitable manner, for example, by means of a belt 47 running overa suitable belt pulley 48 carried by the shaft.

Vi e shall now describe briefly the mode of operation of the completemachine.

The cutter or saw 11 is rotated continu ously at a high velocity. Therotation of the shaft 8, which carries the cutter, is imparted throughthe gear train 19 to the cam shaft 18. As the cam 21 rotates it rocksthe lever 23 toward one side. This swings the rocking frame 10 on theshaft 18 and moves the log laterally toward. the position indicated bythe dotted outline 16 inFigure 6, that is to say, it brings the log'intoengagement, with the cutting edge 15 on one side of the axis ofrotation. This only partially severs the lift; a swinging movement thentakes place in the opposite direction and carries the log laterallytoward the position indicated by the dotted outlinelt'. This completesthe severance of the lift. The log then swings back toward its neutralposition and while in such position the cam 39 operates the transverseshaft 28; this rocks the arms 27 of the feeding device, including thegripper bars 29. The teeth on these gripper bars project toward thecutter so that they slide along the face of the log in a rearwarddirection without moving the log, but when they are moved forwardthrough the co-operation of springs 40 and the cam 39, they grip the logand move it forward until the end of the log comes up against a gagejust beyond the plane of rotation of the cutter and located at the point49. This completes the cycle of movement.

In practice, as thecutterruns at a high speed the lifts will be thrownaway from the machine at a high velocity. For this reason it isdesirable to provide a closed chute, which is not illustrated, but whichshould be located in a position to catch the lift and guide it away fromthe machine as it is cut off.

It is understood that the embodiment of the machine described herein isonly one of the many embodiments our invention may take, and we do notwish to beliinited in the practice of ourinvention, nor in our claims,to the particular embodiment set forth. 1

V'Vhat we claim is 1. In a heel log cutting machine, the combination ofa frame, a shaft mounted to rotate therein, a spider carried by the endof the shaft, a cutter attached to the spider having a central openingformed with acutting edge located with the center of the openingsubstantially on the axis of the shaft, movable log supporting meansmounted on the frame for holding the heel log with its end projectinginto the opening, and means for imparting a lateral rocking movement tothe log supporting means to move the log against the edge of the cutter,and thereby sever a lift from the log, the said spider operating topermit the severed lift to fall after the same has been severed.

2. In a heel-log cutting machine, the combination of a frame, a cuttersupported on said frame to rotate about an axis, having an openingsubstantially on said axis with a cutting edge, a rocking frame forsupporting theheel-log with its end projecting into the opening,continuously driven rotary means for moving the rocking frame in onedirection to move one side of the log against the cutting'edge topartially sever a lift, said meansoperating thereafter to move therockingframe in the other direction to engage the cutting edge on theother side of the axis and completely sever the lift.

3. In a heel-log cutting machine, the combination of a frame, a cuttersupported on said frame to rotate about an axis, having an openingsubstantially on said axis with a cutting edge, a rocking frame forsuporting the heellogwith its end projecting into the opening,continuously driven rotary means for moving the rocking frame in onedirection to move one side of the log against the cutting edge topartially sever alift, said means operating thereafter to move therocking frame in the other direction to engage the cutting edge on theother side of the axis and completely sever the lift, and meansforshoving the log forward after each lift is severed.

4. In a heel-log cutting machine, the combination of a frame, a cuttermounted to rotate about an axis and having a cutting edge maintained ata fixed distance from the axis, said edge being disposed on oppositesides of the axis of rotation, a rocking frame for supporting theheel-logwith its end projecting past the plane ofrotation of the cutter,continuously driven ro- I tary, means for moving the log laterally inone direction to engage the cutting edge on one side of the said axis topartially sever a lift, said means operating to move the log in theoppositedirection to engage thecutting edge on the other side of theaxis, and thereby completely sever the lift.

5. In a heel-log cutting machine, the combination of a frame, a rotarycutter mounted on the frame, a rocking frame including a pivotallysupported log-holder having means for yieldingly clamping the log, withits axis substantially parallel with the axis of the pivotal support,gripper-bars for gripping the sides of the log, means for swinging therocking frame on its pivot to sever a lift from the end of the log,means for pressing the gripper bars against the sides of the log, andmeans for reciprocating the gripper bars longitudinally of the logholder so as to effect a forward feeding movement of the log when thesame is out of contact with the cutter.

. 6. In a heel-log cutting machine, the combination of a frame, apivotally supported rotary cutter mounted on the frame ,a rocle ingframe including alog-holder for holding the log extending substantiallyparallel with the axis of the pivotal support, a pair of oppositelydisposed gripper-bars for gripping opposite sides of the log, meansmounted on the rocking frame for reciprocating the gripper-bars toeffect a feeding move ment of the log toward the cutter, means on thelog-holder for clamping the log to prevent its being moved away from thecut ter when the gripper bars travel back and away from: the cutter, andmeans for swinging the rocking frame to sever a lift from the end of thelog.

i 7. In a heel-log cutting machine, the combination of a frame, a rotarycutter mounted on the frame, a rocking frame also mounted on the frameand including a logholder, co-operating gripper bars for gripping thesides of the log, feed levers carrying the same and mounted to rock onthe rocking frame toward and from the cutter,

a cam for moving the said levers in a direction to cause the gripperbars to travel back and away from the cutter, a spring operating to movethe levers and thepgripper bars toward the cutter to feed the log:forward into the plane of the cutter, a stop for limiting the forwardmovement of the gripper-bars and means for swinging the rocking frame tosever a lift from the end of the log, i

8. In a heel-log cutting machine, the combination of a frame, a rotarycutter mounja ed on the frame, a shaft also mounted on the frame, arocking frame mounted to rock on the cam shaft and including alog-holder opposite the rotary cutter, co-operating gripperbars forgripping the sides of the log, means mounted on the rocking frame forreciprocating the gripper bars to feed the log forward, a cam for movingsaidtmeans in a di rection to move the gripper bars back and away fromthe cutter, a spring operating 'bination of a frame, a log holder and ar0- ta-ry cutter mounted on the frame, a pair of feed levers associatedwith the log-holder, mounted to rock toward and from the cutter'andwdisposed on opposite sides of the log, a gripper bar correspondingto each lever for engaging the side of the log, a feed plate mounted oneach feed lever, means for connecting the feed plates including a springtending to force the feed plates towardeach other, means for impartingthe pressure of the feed plates to the gripper bars, means for rockingthe feed levers to effect a feed ing movement in the log, and means forproducing a relative movement between the log-holder and the cutter tosever a lift from the end of the log.

10. In a heel-log cutting machine, thecombination of frame, a log-holderand a rotary cutter mounted on the frame, a pair of feed leversassociated with the log-holder, mounted to-rock toward-and from thecutter and disposed on opposite sides ofth-e log, a gripper barcorresponding to each lever for engaging thev side of the log, a feedplate mounted on each feed lever, means for connectingthe feed platesincluding a spring tending to force the feed plates toward 'each other,pins guided through the feed levers for imparting pressure from thefeedplates to the gripper bars, means for rocking the feed-levers to effecta feeding movement of the log, andmeans" for producing a relativemovement between the log -holder and cutter to sever a lift from the endof the log. i i

11. In a heel-log cutting machine, in combination, a frame, a shaftrotatably mounted in said frame, a spider attached to the end of saidshaft, a saw attached to said spider and consisting of a disk with acentral opening, the edge of" said opening having teeth thereon, arocking frame supported on said frame to swing to and fro in a planesubstantially parallel with the plane, of the saw, means carried by therocking framefor supporting 'a heel-log substantially onthe axis ofrotation of the saw, and operating to support the heel-log with its endprojecting through the opening of the saw, means for swinging therocking frame to and fro to sever a lift from the end of the log, andautomatic means carried by the rocking frame to advance the heel-loginto; the open ing of the saw when the rocking vframe. is insubstantially mid-position with the heellog out of contact with thecutting edge.

12. In a heel-log cutting machine, the erating with the cam to effect arocking combination of a frame, a horizontal cutmovement of the rockingframe to present ter shaft mounted in the upper part of the the heel-10gto the cutter and cut off lifts frame, a cutter carried by the shaft, arock from the log, and means for holding the 5 ing frame pivotallymounted on the frame, roller in contact with the cam. 15 means forholding the heel-10g on the rook- In testimony whereof, we have hereuntoing frame near the position of the cutter, set our hands.

a cam rotatably mounted on the axis of movement of the rocking frame, aroller as- JOHN E. MITCHELL. 10 sociated with the rocking frame andco-op- DENNIS PARKS.

